Abstract
The The aim of this study was to determine the buffering action of saliva on demineralization potential of sucrose and sorbitol solutions. A modified enamel demineralization device was fixed on the buccal surface of the mandibular first molar. Volunteers (n=8) wore the device for 4 days without brushing to accumulate plaque on the enamel surface. After 4 days, the device was removed and each test solution or test solution+saliva were directly applied to plaque in vitro. As test solutions, 10 % sucrose and 10 % sorbitol were used. Thin enamel sections (100 μm) were evaluated for the degree of demineralization by microradiography. The buffering action on the degree of demineralization was marked. But when applied to saliva, the difference between the sorbitol+saliva group and the control group was not statistically significant. The difference between the 10 % sucrose group, the 10 % sorbitol group and the 10 % sucrose+saliva applied group, the 10 % sorbitol+saliva applied group was statistically significant (p<0.01). This investigation suggested that the decrease of demineralization, when applied to saliva, was due to the buffering action of saliva.
